Vera Gillis' Obituary
Vera Gillis, age 82, of Freedom, Ohio, went to be with the lord on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Born on January 2, 1944, in Portage County, Ohio, Vera was the beloved daughter of Lester and Moneta (Loomis) Etling.
A proud graduate of Kent State University, Vera dedicated her career to education, serving as a cherished Kindergarten teacher at Southeast Local Schools for 32 years. She poured her heart into her work. Her passion for teaching left a lasting impact on generations of children in the community.
Beyond the classroom, Vera was deeply committed to preserving local history. She actively pursued genealogy research and volunteered with the Portage County Historical Society, contributing her time and knowledge to help document and celebrate the area's heritage. In her leisure time, she delighted in the simple pleasures of treasure hunting at yard sales, always on the lookout for finds and hidden gems.
Vera was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 51 years, Carl Gillis.
She is survived by her brother, Danny Etling.
Vera's warm spirit, unwavering dedication to her students and community, and love for family and history will be fondly remembered by all who knew her. Her legacy lives on through the lives she touched and the stories she helped preserve.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Vera's memory may be made to Freedom Township Historical Society 9764 Nichols Road, Windham, OH 44288.
She has been laid to rest at Drakesburg Cemetery in Freedom Township.
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